Keeping Children Safe Around Swimmings
Spring is on its way and along with it warm weather, so soon it will be time to prep your swimming pool for the summer season. Along with preparing your pool, it is a good time to check your pool and surrounding area for any hidden dangers.
What Is the Definition of a Pool in California?
In California, a pool is defined as any structure intended for recreational use or swimming that is at least 18 inches in depth. This extends beyond the above-ground and in-ground pools. It also includes spas, hot tubs, wading pools that are not portable and portable spas. When an individual is injured due to the negligent upkeep of a swimming pool, he or she may be able to obtain fair compensation to pay the resulting medical bills.
Safety Features to Prevent Drowning
Any pool must use one of the following measures designed to help prevent accidental drownings:
- An emergency alarm: Any installed alarm must be certified under ASTM Standard F 2208. Alarm devices for the individual user do not have to meet this certification standard.
- Pool cover: Any pool cover must meet ASTM Specifications F 1346 requirements.
- Installed enclosure: Any enclosure must be separate from the house and meet Section 115923 requirements.
- Exit alarms: This is acceptable if the door of the home has direct access to the pool area.
- Door latch devices that self-close: The mechanism for the release cannot be placed under a height of 54 inches.
- Pool fencing of removable mesh: Must meet ASTM Specifications F 2286, along with a self-closing gate and the ability to add a device that is self-locking.
Shock and Electrocution Hazards
A California father died in 2016 when he jumped into a swimming pool to try and save his daughter when the water became electrified. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, electrical hazards such as shocks and electrocution can occur not only in swimming pools but also in spas and hot tubs. These types of accidents are commonly caused by one of the following hazards:
- Short circuits in underwater lighting
- Electrical wiring that isn’t grounded such as vacuums, lighting, and pumps
- Electrical appliances near the pool such as radios
- Lack of regular inspection of electrical wiring around the pool
Death and Injuries Caused by Near Drowning or Electrocution
When a loved one has died in a swimming pool or other water source due to negligence in maintenance or lack of safety precautions, the family may decide to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages. In the event a death was caused by a faulty mechanical device, the manufacturer may be held liable through a product liability lawsuit.
Serious permanent injuries may result from a near-drowning, particularly brain damage. In the case of electrocution, brain damage may occur as well as nerve damage, which may include memory problems and personality changes. It may also seriously impair the individual’s ability to care for themselves. Finding a personal injury lawyer with experience in these types of cases is important to recover fair compensation.
Related Articles by Stockton Injury Lawyer, Ed Smith:
Stockton Personal Injury Attorneys
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Stockton. Accidents in the swimming pool can end in tragedy. If you or your family member was injured in a swimming pool accident, reach out to me at (209) 227-1931 or at (800) 404-5400. I am available to offer you friendly and free advice.
To see reviews and comments made by some of my former clients, go to Google, Yelp, and the legal rating site, Avvo.
On my website at AutoAccident.com, you can also view verdicts and settlements for previous cases.
I was invited to join Million Dollar Advocates because of my record of $1 million client settlements and verdicts.
In my 35 years of practice, I’ve helped many residents around Northern California and in Stockton with their cases for fair compensation, including in wrongful deaths and in accident injuries like brain injuries.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/sunglasses-people-water-blue-1284419/
:cd [cs 696] cv